How to Write an Excellent Summary Bakersfield College Jessica Wojtysiak Spring 2017 How to Write an Excellent Summary

What is a summary? A brief statement identifying the main points of a text. The goal is to give an accurate and objective representation of what the author or authors wrote.

Why Write a Summary By writing an excellent summary, you are demonstrating: Your mastery of the text Your ability to discern the major points from the supporting details Your use of precise language Your ability to keep your opinion out of it

Introductory sentence Supporting details with transitions Summary Format Introductory sentence Supporting details with transitions Summation sentence (pp. 31-32 in handout packet)

The First Sentence In ________, ____________, __________________, (title) (Author) (Qualifications) ____________ (s) that __________________. (Action verb) (explanation of author’s thesis)

Why this first Sentence? Identifies the author Identifies the title of the work Uses an active verb to catch the reader’s attention Identifies the major theme/assertion/thesis/subject of the text. It’s grammatically correct.

Ask yourself questions: Who? When? Where? What happened? Supporting Details Facts Events Explanation Reasons Outcomes Ask yourself questions: Who? When? Where? What happened?

What are transition words? Transitions What are transition words?

Transitions Look at the two groups of sentences below. Which sentences read more smoothly? Click on an answer below. My friend, Marcos, loves to play sports and is very athletic. He has won a scholarship to play football at a university next year. My friend, Marcos, loves to play sports and is very athletic. In fact, he has won a scholarship to play football at a university next year.

Transitions A transition word directly tells the reader the logical relationship between one idea and another idea. Transition Idea Idea

Example- Longer Piece of Writing Transition connects ideas in paragraph 2 to ideas in paragraph 1. Essay Introduction Body Paragraph 1 Transition connects ideas in paragraph 3 to ideas in paragraph 2. Body Paragraph 2: In addition, Body Paragraph 3: Furthermore, Conclusion:

Marcos plays basketball he plays every Saturday. Types of Transitions Relationship Transition Reinforcement/Emphasis Indeed In fact Marcos plays basketball The transition and second clause reemphasize the first clause. ;in fact, ;indeed, he plays every Saturday.

Marcos enjoys outdoor sports he likes hiking, skiing, and fishing. Types of Transitions Relationship Transition Exemplification For example For instance In particular Marcos enjoys outdoor sports ;for example, ;for instance, ;in particular, The second clause is more specific than the first. he likes hiking, skiing, and fishing.

Types of Transitions Relationship Transition ;thus, ;consequently, Result or Effect Consequently Accordingly Thus Hence Therefore As a result ;thus, ;consequently, ;therefore, ;hence, ;as a result, ;accordingly, Marcos broke his leg he can’t play basketball.

Transition words that provide a sequence After Before Currently Eventually Finally First,...Second,..., etc. Formerly Immediately

Transition words that provide a summary Briefly In brief Overall Summing up To put it briefly To sum up To summarize

Choose the best transition I love to write essays for school.  _____________, I really enjoy receiving large amounts of homework from my teachers. Nevertheless In fact Due to

Choose the best transition ____________I promised to go to school today, I stayed home to watch television. Currently Indeed Although

Choose the best transition Polls show that the Beatles are the most popular singing group of this century. ________________ , there are country music fans who would disagree. In particular However For instance

Closing Sentences Sums up the significance of the text Example: Ultimately, the early chapters of True Notebooks provides insight into the mind and early experiences of the author as he awkwardly establishes his writing course.

Tone and Audience Paraphrase the author (no direct quotations!) No opinions (unless specifically asked) Use summarizing language – “The author claims…” or “the chapter covers…”

Any Questions ?